Hobbies And Interests
Bobcats
The bobcat is the most common wildcat native to Arizona. Bobcats avoid human contact and are rarely seen, however bobcats have been known to come into urban areas to kill domestic pets, poultry, sheep and goats. Bobcats weigh approximately 15 to 30 pounds and are considered a small- to medium-sized feline. Their coat is beautiful, ranging in colors from orange to gray with black spots and stripes. They look like a huge, furry tabby house cat. Bobcats get their name from the short size of their tail. It is legal to hunt bobcats in the state of Arizona.
Mountain Lions
The mountain lion is a very common wildcat in Arizona, but not as common as the bobcat. Mountain lions prefer to stay in the wild near their main source of food, the deer, but have been known to come into human populated areas to find food or water. The mountain lion is the largest wildcat living in Arizona at approximately 75 pounds. Mountain lions have a 3-foot long bushy tail. In the early 1900s, the mountain lion was classified as a predatory animal, and hunters were given a reward of $50 if they shot one. This bounty was in effect until 1970.
Jaguars
Jaguars are on the endangered species list, and only occasionally spotted in Arizona. Jaguars are known to travel and live in a 500-mile radius so it is believed Jaguars just visit Arizona and breed in Texas or Mexico. Several jaguars have been caught in Arizona, collared with a tracking device and released back into the wild so scientists can study the travel patterns of this secretive wildcat.
Ocelots
Ocelots, though rare in Arizona, have been sighted and photographed in the state. Ocelots breed in Texas and then travel into Arizona on occasion. Ocelots were placed on the endangered species list in 1972. There is believed to be a population of only 100 Ocelots left in Texas and Arizona. The ocelot is a small wildcat growing to between 25 and 35 pounds. Their beautiful, spotted coat is cream-colored with dark orange and black spots and stripes.
Jaguarundis
Another very rare wildcat of Arizona is the Jaguarundi. The Jaguarundi is a small cat that has been sighted but not often photographed in the state. Jaguarundis are brown, solid black, gray or reddish and have been mistaken for a panther. These small, slender wildcats are from Texas and are visitors to Arizona.
University of Arizona Wildcats
The most popular wildcats in Arizona are the players on the University of Arizona sports teams. The men's and women's Wildcat basketball teams are well known. The university also has the following popular sports teams: football, baseball, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, golf, tennis, cross-country, volleyball and track and field.